Stafford police fatally shoot wild turkey 'wreaking havoc' in traffic

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerTwo wild turkeys are shown in Roxbury in this Star-Ledger file photo.

STAFFORD — Police in Ocean County shot and killed a wild turkey that authorities say was "wreaking havoc" in traffic.

Stafford Township animal control officer Michael Melchionne told The Press of Atlantic City the bird has been in the township for months. However, it recently moved from residential areas to busy Route 72.

Efforts to trap it were unsuccessful.

Police Lt. Thomas Dellane told the newspaper the turkey caused a motor vehicle accident when a car jammed on its brakes and was rear ended by another on Wednesday.